RealGM Wiretap

Michael Beasley has enough talent to carve out a significant role in the NBA. However, through five seasons in the league, he hasn’t played to his potential.

One NBA scout believes it all comes down to mental focus.

“Well, for the most part ... he’s just not engaged all that often away from the ball,” the scout said. “At both ends, his focus drifts and it just kills what his team is trying to accomplish ... whether it’s rotating or closing out in time or with effort on defense or making a hard cut on offense. He has the physical tools to succeed but rarely plays with a fire. Even when he has the ball, you can see that in how he tries to finish at the basket.”

Beasley shot just 48.7 percent from inside eight feet last season while spending time at both forward spots.

“A lot of people like to say he’s been kind of out of position as a small forward,” the scout said. “There’s probably something to that -- he certainly has more trouble defensively on the perimeter. He’s no beast trying to guard power forwards, either, but a lot of guys near his size play the four spot.”